American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Isaiah 53
1
Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Reference
Faith
John 12:38
John 1:12
John 1:7
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 1:18
Matthew 16:17
1 Corinthians 1:24
References Lord
Matthew 11:25
Isaiah 40:5
Isaiah 51:9
Isaiah 62:8
2
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Reference
3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Reference
4
Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:24
Matthew 8:17
Galatians 3:13
1 John 2:2
Hebrews 9:28
Psalm 69:26
References God
1 Peter 3:18
John 19:7
5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Reference
6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:25
Psalm 119:176
Romans 4:25
Isaiah 56:11
References Lord
Isaiah 55:7
Sin
1 Peter 3:18
James 5:20
Isaiah 53:10
7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
Reference
8
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Reference
Judgment
Acts 8:33
Parallel theme
John 19:7
Daniel 9:26
Psalm 69:12
Romans 1:4
Sin
1 Peter 3:18
Isaiah 53:12
Isaiah 53:5
9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Reference
10
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:32
Galatians 3:13
Ephesians 1:5
Romans 6:9
Revelation 1:18
Romans 8:8
References Lord
Zechariah 13:7
Sin
2 Corinthians 5:21
Isaiah 53:12
1 Peter 2:24
11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 53:12
Hebrews 12:2
John 17:3
Isaiah 53:8
John 16:21
Righteousness
1 Peter 2:24
1 Peter 3:18
Isaiah 45:25
1 John 2:1
12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Reference
Creation
Hebrews 9:24
Parallel theme
Luke 22:37
Mark 15:27
Romans 8:34
Sin
Hebrews 9:28
1 John 2:12
Hebrews 9:26
Isaiah 53:6
Titus 2:14
Hebrews 12:2
Summary of Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 is one of the Bible's most profound passages about suffering, sacrifice, innocence, redemption, and ultimate victory.
The chapter describes a servant who does not appear powerful or impressive.
He grows like a small plant in dry ground and is rejected rather than honored.
People look at him and see someone marked by sorrow, suffering, and weakness.
Yet Isaiah reveals that the servant's suffering has a much deeper purpose.
The people initially assume that he is suffering because God has punished him for his own wrongdoing.
Instead, Isaiah explains that he is carrying the suffering and wrongdoing of others.
The famous image of humanity as wandering sheep emphasizes that everyone has turned toward his own path.
The servant, however, accepts the consequences of that rebellion.
He is wounded for the rebellion of others, crushed because of their wrongdoing, and his suffering becomes associated with peace, healing, and restoration.
The servant does not respond to his mistreatment with violence or angry defense.
He remains silent like a lamb being led to slaughter.
He is oppressed, judged, and removed, yet Isaiah emphasizes his innocence: he has committed no violence and has spoken no deceit.
His suffering therefore cannot simply be explained as punishment for personal wrongdoing.
The servant's death appears to be defeat, but Isaiah presents an extraordinary reversal.
God uses his suffering to accomplish a greater purpose.
After suffering, the servant will see the results of his work, make many people righteous, and ultimately receive honor among the great.
The final verse emphasizes that he willingly gives his life, bears the sins of many, and intercedes for those who have done wrong.
For Christians, Isaiah 53 has traditionally been understood as a major prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, particularly His rejection, suffering, crucifixion, sacrificial death, and subsequent exaltation.
The passage is also significant because it presents salvation through a surprising method: victory comes through suffering rather than military power.
The central message is that the servant suffers innocently on behalf of others, carries their sins and sorrows, remains faithful despite rejection and unjust treatment, and is ultimately vindicated and exalted by God; what appears to be defeat becomes the means of redemption, peace, healing, righteousness, and salvation for many.
The chapter describes a servant who does not appear powerful or impressive.
He grows like a small plant in dry ground and is rejected rather than honored.
People look at him and see someone marked by sorrow, suffering, and weakness.
Yet Isaiah reveals that the servant's suffering has a much deeper purpose.
The people initially assume that he is suffering because God has punished him for his own wrongdoing.
Instead, Isaiah explains that he is carrying the suffering and wrongdoing of others.
The famous image of humanity as wandering sheep emphasizes that everyone has turned toward his own path.
The servant, however, accepts the consequences of that rebellion.
He is wounded for the rebellion of others, crushed because of their wrongdoing, and his suffering becomes associated with peace, healing, and restoration.
The servant does not respond to his mistreatment with violence or angry defense.
He remains silent like a lamb being led to slaughter.
He is oppressed, judged, and removed, yet Isaiah emphasizes his innocence: he has committed no violence and has spoken no deceit.
His suffering therefore cannot simply be explained as punishment for personal wrongdoing.
The servant's death appears to be defeat, but Isaiah presents an extraordinary reversal.
God uses his suffering to accomplish a greater purpose.
After suffering, the servant will see the results of his work, make many people righteous, and ultimately receive honor among the great.
The final verse emphasizes that he willingly gives his life, bears the sins of many, and intercedes for those who have done wrong.
For Christians, Isaiah 53 has traditionally been understood as a major prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, particularly His rejection, suffering, crucifixion, sacrificial death, and subsequent exaltation.
The passage is also significant because it presents salvation through a surprising method: victory comes through suffering rather than military power.
The central message is that the servant suffers innocently on behalf of others, carries their sins and sorrows, remains faithful despite rejection and unjust treatment, and is ultimately vindicated and exalted by God; what appears to be defeat becomes the means of redemption, peace, healing, righteousness, and salvation for many.